The Good Fight

Mark Sheehan passed away Friday, April 2, 2010 at home. He fought several grueling battles with admirable determination since being diagnosed with a rare form of Squamous cell cancer in 2006. His resolve and willingness to endure 90 radiation treatments and a half dozen strains of chemo afforded him the longevity to share in many family triumphs, including his son, Gary’s, remission from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, special occasions like his son, Mike’s wedding, a summer of adventures with his son Kevin and the birth of his first grandchild, Sean, who sometimes accompanied his Papa to treatments.
Mark was a businessman, an involved member of the community and served in many capacities throughout his life but his role as father transcended all other achievements. Despite his many business and community involvements, Mark always prioritized time with his family and his three sons have become men that are a testament to his love and commitment.
Two of his sons attended Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont and Mark trekked all over New England driving them to races and championing their ski racing competitions. All three of his sons were on many baseball and soccer travel teams and he enthusiastically spent countless hours with them as a coach and spectator on sports fields all over the state and served on the original youth soccer board in Sandwich. He was an avid sports enthusiast himself and played on an “over 30” hockey team in Bourne in the late 70’s, on Sandwich Town Tennis Teams and at Mid-Cape Racquet Club in the 80’s. He took up golf in the 90’s and was a member of New Seabury Country Club in recent years. The Sheehans moved from Sandwich to Mashpee in 1999.
Mark was original in his thinking, honest in expressing opinions and injected irreverent humor into all his endeavors. His serious side, high expectations and angry outbursts were reserved for things that really mattered...like questionable calls by umpires at Little League games and the Red Sox blowing a lead! As a result, some viewed Mark as an easy going, comical, civic minded business owner while others would characterize him as a harsh, competitive sports fanatic! However, they’d all agree that he had a strong sense of values, was a man of integrity and had a compassionate heart. He’d fight to the end for what he thought was “fair” and became a beacon for others in his industry throughout the country championing parity and transparency. Although basically an upstanding, law abiding citizen, Mark was a rebel at heart. From his stint in the army through the onslaught of cancer treatments, Mark regarded precautions and “stupid” rules as challenges he must defy.
Mark moved to the Cape in 1977 with his wife, Nancy, and together they started the now “second generation” business CAPE MEDICAL SUPPLY. In addition to his role as an entrepreneur, Mark was very involved in the local community as well as with his company’s regional trade organization. He was chosen as “Business Man of the Year” in the late 70’s by the Bourne-Sandwich Chamber of Commerce. He was on the “Search Committee” for the first Sandwich town Manager in 1986 then served on Sandwich’s first part time board of selectman in 1987.
Cape Medical Supply won the Business Philanthropist award in 2008. Mark was on the board of the VNA of Cape Cod and worked closely with Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod since its inception. He also served on the board of the New England Medical Equipment Dealers. He was integral in raising money for RHCI, was on their annual golf committee for many years and served as its president for a few years. Despite his many public commitments, Mark’s true passion in life was solitude in the outdoors. His dream was to create a magnificent landscape in the flourishing yard he nourished on the shore of the Mashpee River.
Mark leaves his wife of 34 years, Nancy, with whom he was partnered in business and united in parenting. They are the proud parents of three sons: Gary and his wife Kristina Conaway of Yarmouth. Gary has been the President & CEO of Cape Medical Supply since Mark and Nancy suddenly departed due to Mark’s cancer in August of 2006. Michael and his wife, Stephanie Savas, of Weymouth. Mike returned to the area from CA to lend support to the family and help with the business when his father was diagnosed with cancer. And, Kevin who has traveled extensively pursuing the highest levels of competitive ski racing and is currently on the ski team of Sierra Nevada College in the Lake Tahoe area. Kevin and his girlfriend, Katie Hitchcock, returned home for the summer of 2009 to be with Mark when his cancer returned and helped him realize his vision of bountiful gardens on the property he loved. Mark also leaves the love of his life, his 15 month old grandson, Sean David Sheehan.
In addition, Mark leaves his siblings Dan (Natalie) of Centerville, Joe (Carol) of North Carolina, Jack (Jane) of New Hampshire and Marion (Tom) of Florida and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by his in-laws Richard and Claire McBrine, extended family members and many close friends and beloved long time staff members. He grew up in Newton and was the much loved youngest child of Marion and Daniel J. Sheehan who predeceased him.
The Sheehan family is grateful to oncologist, Dr. Victor Aviles, who compassionately guided Mark through his four years of cancer treatments. Mark spent countless hours in the refuge of his North Falmouth office and found much solace in the warm embrace of his caring staff. Hospice & Palliative Care of Cape Cod’s Nurses and
their haven, the Mary McCarthy Hospice House, were instrumental in easing Mark’s plight in the final months of his life and enabled him to fulfill his wish of passing away at home.
No flowers. We ask that you recognize Mark’s journey with a kind gesture or a donation to “The Cape Medical Supply Mark Sheehan Memorial Foundation” which has been established in honor of Mark’s lifelong passion for the local non-profit community.
The foundation’s mission is to meet the needs of the Cape Cod community, with special focus on end of life and cancer support services. It will be professionally managed and a donation in any amount will be gratefully accepted:
“The Cape Medical Supply Mark Sheehan Memorial Foundation” C/O The Cape Cod Foundation, 259 Willow Street, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
Condolence calls may be made to the Sheehan Family at Anthony’s Cummaquid Inn, Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 11 am until 2 pm. Mark’s wife and three sons will host a Celebration of Mark’s life at 2:30 at Anthony’s Cummaquid Inn. All are welcome.